Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The claims for increased evaluations of the lumbar strain, right and left knee disabilities, and hemorrhoids were also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, characterized as chronic lumbosacral strain syndrome, was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an increased evaluation for flail chest, and an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left parietal bone. The reasons given were that there was no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection, and he failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic, acquired low back disorder in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously denied in December 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including additional examinations and consideration of new regulations. The appeal is currently remanded to allow for these actions.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disorder and bilateral hand disability are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability, granting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and will remand the case for additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic low back disorder and is granting it based on new evidence submitted since the last denial in May 1990.

The veteran's back disability was granted an increased rating to 60 percent, and his TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal was inadequate and dismissed his claims due to a lack of timely filing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and dermatitis. The claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured nasal bone was also denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's low back disorder with radicular pain associated with left L5-S1 root compression, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has deferred adjudication of the increased rating claim due to changes in VA regulations and has ordered a comprehensive examination of the veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's appeal is for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied and request all pertinent medical records from the veteran's providers. They should also schedule VA orthopedic, audiological, and special audio examinations to determine the nature and current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for migraine headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar strain and a bilateral knee disorder for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected gunshot wound to the left thigh and low back strain with levoscoliosis were granted, but he is still rated at 40 percent.